Archery bowstring release wrist strap assembly

ABSTRACT

An archery bowstring release assembly is provided with a flexible and infinitely adjustable connection between the bowstring release and the pull ring attached to a wrist strap. A ring with a slot through the solid portion of the ring structure is attached by a pair of webs extending through the ring to a wrist strap. The slot is threaded with a web of material which passes through a slot in an archery bowstring release device. After being threaded through the slot, the end portions of the web are engaged with a clamp which retains the loop of the web and prevents the end portions of the web from pulling back through the slot of the ring. The clamp is large enough to prevent its passage through the slot to resist the forces transmitted through the clamp to the ring so that the wrist strap can exert sufficient force onto the ring and web to pull the bowstring release, thereby drawing the bowstring to a fall draw.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to archery bowstring release and wriststrap assemblies and, more specifically, to the manner in which thearchery bowstring release is connected to the wrist strap to affordinfinite adjustability within a defined range of positions of thearchery bowstring release relative to the wrist strap, while maintaininga stable and consistent location for the bowstring release/wrist strapinterconnection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Archers use a bowstring release assembly to draw and/or release abowstring in order to provide conditions as consistent as possible foreach release of the bowstring. Use of a bowstring release eliminatessome of the variability inherent in the manual release of a drawnbowstring.

[0003] The bowstring release assembly is attached to a wrist strap whichis, in turn, worn on and wrapped around an archer's wrist. Locating theassembly in this position further eliminates at least some of theinconsistencies in the release of the bowstring with the archer'sfingers by requiring less movement of the fingers to effect release ofthe bowstring.

[0004] To operate a bowstring release, a single finger engages andgently pulls the trigger of the release device thereby unlatching arestraining member which engages the bowstring, permitting the drawnbowstring to be pulled toward the bow and project the arrow toward itstarget.

[0005] All persons vary in several physical aspects that affect thereliable use of a bowstring release, such as hand size, wrist size, armlength and other physical variables. These enumerated variables areaccommodated by adjustability of the archery bowstring release wriststrap.

[0006] Prior art releases have used various incremental adjustabilityschemes and, in many instances, the adjustability of the distancebetween the wrist strap and the bowstring release mechanism is a rigidconnection. The rigid connection both inhibits the bowstring releasefrom being positioned away from the palm of the archer's hand andprevents unencumbered use of the hand for other purposes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved archerybowstring release assembly.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a flexibleconnection between a release and a wrist strap.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide an infinitelyadjustable connection between a wrist strap and an archery bowstringrelease.

[0010] It is an additional object of the invention to improve thefunctionality of the archer's hand while wearing this archery bowstringrelease and wrist strap.

[0011] It is a still further object of the invention to confine theconnection of the wrist strap and the archery bowstring release to arestricted location on the wrist strap while ensuring the flexibilityand adjustability of the archery bowstring release relative to the wriststrap.

[0012] These Objects of the Invention are set forth at this point forthe purpose of identifying some of the objects and characteristics ofthe invention; however, these objects or others that are not enumeratedare not intended to be used to limit the invention in any manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A pull ring having a pair of segments of the circumscribing outerportion, against which forces are exerted by a wrist strap, is disposedsubstantially perpendicular and transverse to the legs of a wrist strapformed in a substantially right angular form. The pull ring is attachedto the outer surface of the wrist strap. Attachment is preferablyaccomplished by use of a web of heavy fabric, such as a nylon web orstrap or a piece of leather, folded and engaged at the fold with thetransverse portions of the pull ring and the web or strap sewn orotherwise permanently attached to the outer surface of the wrist strap.

[0014] The pull ring preferably is formed in a generally square orpentagonal shape with a central aperture. At least a portion of thewalls of the central aperture parallels the transverse portions of thering to form the retaining and stabilizing pair of portions of thecircumscribing outer portions.

[0015] Alternatively, the retaining and stabilizing portions of the pullring may be made by forming a pair of slots with an elongated wall ofeach slot and the transverse portions of the ring cooperating to formthe retaining and stabilizing pair of portions of the pull ring.

[0016] The pull ring is further formed to define a loop slot foracceptance of a loop of a third web. The third web is a length offlexible material such as nylon webbing formed into a loop and threadedthrough the slot or aperture in the bowstring release mechanism; both ofthe end portions of the web are threaded through the loop slot of thepull ring. The end portions of the loop of the web are clamped with aclamp which is tightened in order to hold without slipping the endportions of the web. The clamp is then pulled against but not throughthe pull ring.

[0017] The web loop permits the bowstring release to be moved out of theway so that the user may use his hand without either having to deal witha rigid structure or having to remove the wrist strap.

[0018] The length of the web loop formed by the clamp may be infinitelyvaried to adjust the distance between the bowstring release mechanismand the ends of the looping web to accommodate varying sizes of handsand wrists or lengths of arms.

[0019] This Summary of the Invention is very brief. Reference should bemade to the Detailed Description of the Invention below for a moredetailed understanding of the invention

[0020] The Summary of the Invention is not intended to nor should it beused for limiting the invention in any manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an archery bowstring release assemblyincorporating the invention and having a buckle fastening arrangement.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates an archery bowstring release assemblyincorporating the invention and having a hook and loop fasteningarrangement.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the pull ring suitable for usein either of the archery bowstring release assemblies illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the pull ring suitablefor use in either of the archery bowstring release assembliesillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates a clamp of the type suitable for engaging andclamping the web loop of the archery bowstring release assemblies ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THEINVENTION AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE INVENTOR

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1,an archery bowstring release system 10 is shown.

[0027] The bowstring release system 10 is used to draw, hold and releasethe bowstring of a bow for archery target shooting and hunting.

[0028] The release system 10 includes a wrist strap 12 which istypically arranged about the wrist of user. The apex 14 of the strap 12is formed by a pair of legs 16 which intersect intermediate the ends ofstrap 12. When worn, the apex 14 is disposed proximate the palm of theuser's hand and the legs 16 of the strap 12 are wrapped around andacross the the back of the user's wrist and fastened together to form awrist-confining loop 17 as in FIG. 2.

[0029] The wrist strap 12 supports a pull ring 18 which is attachedthereto. The pull ring 18 is illustrated in various forms in FIGS. 1, 2,3 and 4. The pull ring 18 is typically fashioned to provide a pair ofstrap-engaging surface edges 20. The surface edges 20 are formed byeither a central aperture 22 (FIG. 3) or by a pair of slots 24, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

[0030] The angle between the surface edges 20 is complementary to theangle formed by the legs 16 of strap 12. In the embodiments illustrated,the angle formed by legs 16 of strap 12 herein is approximately a rightangle but may vary as desired by the fabricator of the strap 12,resulting in the angle between the surface edges 20 being alsoapproximately a right angle.

[0031] The pull ring 18 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is attached to thestrap 12 by threading a short length of a flexible web strap 26 (FIGS. 1and 2) through slots 24 or central aperture 22 and doubling the webstrap 26 and extending the web-end portions 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of webstrap 26 away from the pull ring 18. The end portions 28 are affixed bystitching or other fastening techniques such as riveting or bonding. Theweb straps 26 may be made from a sturdy and stable material such asleather or nylon webbing

[0032] Pull ring 18 is disposed so that the surface edges 20 (FIGS. 3and 4) extend transverse to legs 16, approximately perpendicular. Thisorientation of the pull ring 18 relative to the wrist strap 12 disposesslot 30 of ring 18 for acceptance of a strap 32 or web 32 therethrough.Thus oriented, the strap 32 approximately bisects the angles formed bythe surface edges 20 and the angle of the legs 16 of strap 12.

[0033] Web 32 is folded or doubled to form a loop, and one end portion38 of the web 32 is threaded through an opening 34 in the body of thebowstring release mechanism 36. The web 32 is then folded back on itselfand the end portions 38 of the web 32 are threaded through slot 30 ofpull ring 18.

[0034] A clamp 40 engaging both end portions 38 of the loop 32 is usedto fix the web loop 32 in slot 30.

[0035] The clamp 40 must be very compact in order to not interfere withthe use of the bowstring release assembly 10. At the same time, theclamp 40 must be strong enough to hold the end portions 38 of web 32against slippage relative to the clamp 40 and must further resist atleast the forces exerted on the clamp 40 in order to draw and hold thebowstring of a bow (not shown).

[0036] The best embodiment of the preferred clamp 40, illustrated indetail in FIG. 5, is comprised of a pair of bars 42, which act as jaws.The bars 42 are drilled and/or tapped to accept cap screws 44 or othersimilar fasteners.

[0037] The web 32 is infinitely adjustable between limits defined by thelength dimension of the web 32 permitting the pull point of engagementwith the release 36 and the clamping point to be varied so that any wearmay be overcome, even when in the field. Only a common Allen wrench tomanipulate the cap screws 44 is required. By adjusting the position ofthe clamp 40 the index finger will occupy a position such that operationof the trigger 37 may be accomplished smoothly and with outconcentration of the user.

[0038] The use of the pull ring 18 and the clamp 40 to retain the web 32provides infinite or micro-adjustability of the length of the loop ofweb 32 while providing the flexibility necessary to fold the bowstringrelease 36 out of the way whenever not drawing the bowstring.

[0039] Further, the clamp 40 and the pull ring 18 with theweb-accommodating slot 30 provide a non damaging surface against whichthe web 32 is positioned to reduce wear and tear to the web 32.

[0040] Preventive maintenance for the archery bowstring release system10 is made easy. The web 32 and clamp 40 may be removed, and a new web32 inserted and reclamped using the original clamp 40, assuringcontinued utility and reliability of the bowstring release assembly 10.

[0041] This Detailed Description of the Invention is made with referenceto drawing illustrations of and descriptions of a release mechanismmanufactured by and available from Scott Archery Manufacturing, Inc. ofClay City, Ky., the Assignee of this invention. The illustration of thistype release is a matter of choice inasmuch as any suitable release,i.e., jaw type, or cord type, may be attached to the web 32 or modifiedto provide a slot such as slot 34 for such attachment.

[0042] Likewise, the types of wrist straps 12 illustrated herein aremade and sold by Scott Archery Manufacturing, Inc. of Clay City, Ky. Theselection of these style wrist straps was a matter of choice and toillustrate the invention when used with various style wrist straps.Various other styles and makes of wrist straps are available to thepublic and most wrist straps available to the public may be used ormodified in accord with the teachings of this disclosure to support andmount the pull ring 18. Therefore, the terms “bowstring release,”“release” or “wrist strap” are intended to be inclusive and thereforeare to be interpreted broadly and are not to be considered a basis forlimiting the invention in any manner.

[0043] With a detailed understanding of the invention, it will beapparent to the artisan of ordinary skill in the art that minor changesand modifications may be made in the disclosed bowstring releaseassembly without removing the changed device from the protectionafforded by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An archery bowstring release assembly comprising:a bowstring release device comprising a release mechanism and a releasetrigger; said release mechanism having at least one relatively moveablemember, said moveable member engageable with a bowstring; said releasemechanism comprising a body, said body supporting a trigger displaceableto initiate release of said bowstring; said body comprising an aperturein a portion of said body; a wrist engageable strap formed to encircle awrist of a user; a ring comprising a first slot, said ring attached to asurface of said wrist engageable strap; a web having two end portions,at least one of said end portions extending through said first slot; aclamp engaging both end portions of said web, thereby preventingslippage of said web relative to said first slot and said ring, wherebya distance between said ring and said release mechanism is infinitelyadjustable to accommodate various sizes of hands of individual users. 2.The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 1 wherein said ringfurther forms an enlarged opening therein.
 3. The archery bowstringrelease assembly of claim 2 wherein said wrist engaging strap furthercomprises a pair of extending legs of strap material, said legsintersecting at an angle and said ring disposed and attached to saidwrist engaging strap proximate to an apex of said angle.
 4. The archerybowstring release assembly of claim 3 wherein said ring is attached tosaid wrist band by a pair of attaching webs extending through saidenlarged opening in said ring and attached to said legs of said wriststrap.
 5. The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 1 wherein saidclamp comprises a pair of bars disposed transverse to said web endportions and at lest a fastening member engaging said bars to force saidbars onto said web end portions.
 6. The archery bowstring releaseassembly of claim 5 wherein each of said pair of bars are sized toprevent passage through said first slot.
 7. The archery bowstringrelease assembly of claim 5 wherein said pair of bars collectively aresized to prevent passage of said bars through said first slot.
 8. Anarchery bowstring release assembly comprising: a means for releasing anarchery bowstring: a wrist engaging means for encircling a user's wrist;a connecting means intermediate said release means and said wristengaging means; said connecting means comprising a web of flexiblematerial retainingly engaged with said means for releasing, a means forclampingly engaging said web of flexible material, and a ring means forconnecting said web to said wrist engaging means; said ring meansfurther comprising at least one slot aperture; said web comprising twoend portions each of said end portions comprising an end; said endportions extending through said at least one slot aperture, said meansfor clamping engaged with said web end portions and said ring means forresisting the removal of said web end portions from said slot aperture;said clamp engageable with said web at any location on said web betweensaid end portions and said slot, thereby making said connecting meansinfinitely adjustable over a range of length of said web end portions.9. The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 8 wherein said meansfor clamping comprises a pair of jaw members and retaining means forforcing said jaw members retainingly against said web.
 10. The archerybowstring release assembly of claim 9 wherein said jaw members aredimensioned to prevent passage of said jaw members through said slotaperture.
 11. The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 10 whereinsaid jaw members are disposed on said web end portions andinterconnected by a pair of screws to pull said jaws toward opposingsides of said web end portions.
 12. The archery bowstring releaseassembly of claim 11 wherein said ring means is permanently attached tosaid wrist engaging means intermediate said ends of said wrist engagingmeans.
 13. The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 12 whereinsaid ring means is attached by a pair of straps which passes throughsaid ring means and is permanently attached to said wrist engagingmeans.
 14. The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 13 whereinsaid straps are attached by stitches to said wrist engaging means. 15.The archery bowstring release assembly of claim 13 wherein said strapsare attached by a rivet to said wrist engaging means.
 16. The archerybowstring release assembly of claim 12 wherein said wrist engaging meanscomprises a flexible member having a pair of intersecting leg portions,said leg portions forming an angle and said ring means is disposedproximate said angle formed by said leg portions.